In a significant breakthrough, troops from the Operation Hadun Kai have successfully rescued another Chibok schoolgirl, Ihyi Abdul, in Bama, Borno State.
This brings the total number of rescued Chibok girls to 19, a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to reunite the abducted girls with their families.
The Theater Commander, Operation Hadun Kai, Maj. Gen. Wahidu Shaibu, confirmed the rescue during a press briefing at the Theater Command Headquarters in Maimamalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.
Theater Commander, Operation Hadun Kai, Maj. Gen. Wahidu Shaibu addressing newsmen in Maiduguri
Gen. Shaibu praised the troops for their bravery and dedication, stating that the rescue was a testament to their commitment to ending the insurgency and restoring peace to the North East region.
Ihyi Abdul, 27, was rescued on June 23, 2024, along with her two children, during an offensive operation conducted by troops of the 21 Special Armored Brigade (SAB) within the Sambisa Forest. She was identified as number 67 on the list of abducted Chibok School Girls published by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) in 2014.
General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. AGL Haruna, Ihyi Abdul
According to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. AGL Haruna, Ihyi Abdul was forcefully married to a terrorist, Abu Darda, in 2014, and later relocated to Senegal. After Abu Darda’s neutralization, she was married to another terrorist, Bana, and resided in Garin Mustapha, Njimiya, in Sambisa Forest.
He said the rescued Chibok girl and her children have undergone thorough medical examination and treatment at a military medical facility. She is currently three months pregnant and receiving appropriate care.
“She is 27 years old, Kibaku by tribe and Muslim by faith. She hails from Kubur-Mbula village in Chibok LGA of Borno State.
“She is at serial 67 on the list of abducted Chibok School Girls published by Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) in 2014.
“While in captivity, she was forcefully married to one Abu Darda at Gwoza town in 2014.
” However, Abu Darda who is an indigene of Plateau State later relocated to Senegal and she later got married to other terrorists that were eventually neutralized by troops within Sambisa forest.
” Prior to her rescue, she was married to one Bana and they resided at Garin Mustapha in Njimiya, in Sambisa forest.
” At the moment, she is 3 months pregnant. Since her rescue, she has gone through detailed medical examination along with her 2 children and unborn child and were administered with the appropriate treatment and management.
” I hereby handover Ihyi Abdu and her 2 children, Khadija and Anas to the representatives of the Borno State Government,” Gen. Haruna said.
The Borno State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, represented by the Director of Social Welfare, Hajiya Aisha Shettima, received Ihyi Abdul and her children on behalf of the state government.
The commissioner thanked the military for their efforts and assured that the girl and her children would receive proper care and support at the Rehabilitation Center in Biulumkutu.